Abstract: A method of inhibiting or reducing the irritation of skin resulting from allergic contact dermatitis, caused by contact with natural or synthetic allergenic agents, e.g. poison ivy, and dinitrochlorobenzene, respectively, is described. The method comprises applying to the skin an irritating reducing effective amount of a protective agent which is an organic compound having at least two polar groups, e.g. carboxyl groups, separated by a chain of at least 15 atoms the majority of which are carbon atoms and optionally containing a cyclic moiety of at least 5 atoms, prior to contact of the skin with the allergenic agent. The protective agent may be combined in a pharmacologically acceptable base for application to the skin.